Temporary pumps

[soapy]

I had one of my procon pumps that provides my tire cleaner and bug remover go bad after 16 years of operation. There are literally 100s of configurations for these procon pumps and no one stocked the pump I needed and found out they are a made to order only pump. 2 to 3 weeks just to build one plus all the freight delays and no chance of having one rushed. In the meantime I hooked up a Flowjet G57 pump using air to work. NOt quite as much output but better than nothing.

 

[Axxlrod]

1 HP Portable Sprinkler Pump 1075 GPH

Amazing deals on this 1 Hp Portable Sprinkler Pump 1075 Gph at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[carwashireland]

I tried these types of pumps and they actually work great. I have used them for s.f rinse and wax for about 6 months and no problems so far!

 

[mjwalsh]

1 HP Portable Sprinkler Pump 1075 GPH

Amazing deals on this 1 Hp Portable Sprinkler Pump 1075 Gph at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Hmmm... that gph is about 18gpm ... divide by 6 bays ... 3gpm. 2Biz help me out here. Yaaah ... I suppose I need to look at the pump graph before I jump to conclusions.

Axxlrod, I notice it says on your link Total head lift: 70 PSIG Suction head lift: 26 ft. I am not sure if I am interpreting that info properly. From your actual experience: Is there enough gpm & pressure in each of your self service bays while you are using this pump????

 

[Axxlrod]

I have a tunnel at this site in addition to the SS bays, so I am actually using the sprinkler pump for the lava arch in the tunnel. So not apples to apples for your use.

Basically, this pump is an alternative to an air pump price-wise and puts out more volume. Not sure if it would work for you or not.

 

[mjwalsh]

Basically, this pump is an alternative to an air pump price-wise and puts out more volume. Not sure if it would work for you or not.

I am thinking it would. As the nozzle(s) restrict the flow allowing less gpm it seems like the pressure or lift would increase???

 

[MEP001]

I am thinking it would. As the nozzle(s) restrict the flow allowing less gpm it seems like the pressure or lift would increase???

Why would you want an alternative pump that costs more, is designed for a different purpose, has a lower max pressure, would require a system redesign, and is from Harbor Freight, when you can just keep a spare Flojet? I assume you're not lifting your tire cleaner out of a pond or a river.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

NOt quite as much output but better than nothing.

Flojet makes a g57 double pump, which supposedly doubles the output. I havent used one yet, but next time the procon on my SFR dies I might try it.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Why would you want an alternative pump that costs more, is designed for a different purpose, has a lower max pressure, would require a system redesign, and is from Harbor Freight, when you can just keep a spare Flojet? I assume you're not lifting your tire cleaner out of a pond or a river.

I agree.

FYI I have a spare flojet "in stock" at all times... I actually have it plumbed in to pump ww fluid thru all my lines for extreme cold shutdowns. So its sort of like another low pressure function that only I can select & its semi manual.
If/when one of my flojets fails, it takes me all of 5 minutes to swap it.

 

[mjwalsh]

I would not replace my Flojets with this pump & we too like the Flojets quick exchange capability for SS brush, tire motor, & presoak. Our previous Aro Pumps were a nightmare compared to the Flojets. I thank this forum's leaders for sharing their positives which then lead us to switch over to Flojets.

We at our place would only consider the HB sprinkler pump for replacement of the Procon that we are using for repressurization of the Spot Free Rinse to our 6 SS bays. It is very unlikely that more than 2 or 3 bays would be using Spot Free simultaneously. It would be nice to see an actual pump graph of both the HB pump & the Procon side by side to compare. So at this point I do not have enough information as to the wand nozzle-gpm effect in the bay. The possible more gpm & enough thrust out over the vehicle is what might tip the scale.

Any more observations about its performance that might help us decide Axxlrod??? 6 months trouble-freeness is not a bad start.

 

[MEP001]

Flojet makes a g57 double pump, which supposedly doubles the output. I havent used one yet, but next time the procon on my SFR dies I might try it.

I plan on ordering one next time I need pumps. I had one apart at another wash, and it's just two pumps on a manifold, and it's cheaper than two separate pumps.

I don't know what pressure you run on your SFR, but I don't think you'll be happy with a Flojet there. The double pump isn't any higher pressure than a single one, which is 90 PSI.

 

[MEP001]

I agree.

FYI I have a spare flojet "in stock" at all times... I actually have it plumbed in to pump ww fluid thru all my lines for extreme cold shutdowns. So its sort of like another low pressure function that only I can select & its semi manual.
If/when one of my flojets fails, it takes me all of 5 minutes to swap it.

I use one for a transfer pump, plus I keep at least one other spare, so I always have an emergency backup spare.

Look into the quick change mount - it takes me all of 15 seconds to change a pump.

 

[MEP001]

We at our place would only consider the HB sprinkler pump for replacement of the Procon that we are using for repressurization of the Spot Free Rinse to our 6 SS bays. It is very unlikely that more than 2 or 3 bays would be using Spot Free simultaneously. It would be nice to see an actual pump graph of both the HB pump & the Procon side by side to compare. So at this point I do not have enough information as to the wand nozzle-gpm effect in the bay. The possible more gpm & enough thrust out over the vehicle is what might tip the scale.

A 2500 series Procon on a 3/4 HP motor can maintain 250 PSI to at least four or five bays depending on the tip. The Harbor Freight pump's max pressure is 70 PSI. The GPM rating of the pump in this application is irrelevant. You won't get more GPM to the bay when the maximum pressure of the pump is only 70 PSI.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Any more observations about its performance that might help us decide Axxlrod??? 6 months trouble-freeness is not a bad start.

FWIW I have 8 Bays. They are set up with 2 Banks of 4 Solenoids each plumbed together with the exception of the Foam Brush there is plenty of volume and pressure for ll Low Volume functions going thru the 05 nozzle. Since the Erie FN uses 6 holes they can use more volume so there is a separate Flo Jet for each of the 4 banks.

I think this is a better way to go than the double flo jet since I heard if one i bad it will not work. With seperate ones only half the bays would stop working and I only need to swap out one.

 

[MEP001]

A single Flojet will definitely handle 6 bays, but it sure works hard to do it.

I'd have connected both pumps and banks of solenoids together. Right now you have an advantage over my setup in that if a pump fails only half your bays are without FB.

You're partly right about the double Flojet not working if one fails. I was working on a wash where they were using one for their prep station, and they weren't getting anything to their prep guns. Turned out one of the brand new pumps on the manifold had ruptured a diaphragm and the air pressure coming through bypassed the other pump. I'm thinking I might develop a controller for two pumps that switches pumps each time it comes on, and with a flow sensor will quit using one pump if it fails to deliver and will set up an audible alarm and/or a trouble light.

 

[twodopeshaggy]

FWIW I have 8 Bays. They are set up with 2 Banks of 4 Solenoids each plumbed together with the exception of the Foam Brush there is plenty of volume and pressure for ll Low Volume functions going thru the 05 nozzle. Since the Erie FN uses 6 holes they can use more volume so there is a separate Flo Jet for each of the 4 banks.

I think this is a better way to go than the double flo jet since I heard if one i bad it will not work. With seperate ones only half the bays would stop working and I only need to swap out one.

What is your air compressor setup like? I have a very similar setup and been having issues with pressures.

 

[MEP001]

I have a very similar setup

I thought you just worked for a car wash.

 

[Bricks]

I tried these types of pumps and they actually work great. I have used them for s.f rinse and wax for about 6 months and no problems so far!

Wait a sec. I just spent $3270 today for a 5hp SFR pump. And I could’ve bought one for under $200? How do you wire it up? My pump is three phase and I installed it myself. I’m trying to learn how to survive in this business. You have my undivided attention. Also for the flojets, how do you hook those pumps in their place?

 

[MEP001]

Those Harbor Freight pumps last months, not years.

 

[Bricks]

Those Harbor Freight pumps last months, not years.

Does anyone know where I can get the next one of these I need for less than the $3270 I paid? (5hp 3phase)